(Unofficial translation) I am glad to meet you all. The world economy has entered a dark tunnel, but we have to light the way and get past the tunnel. The COVID-19 outbreak is posing a tremendous threat to our economy, which is heavily dependent on overseas markets, but many of our businesses are providing exempl...

Apr 01, 2020

(Unofficial Translation) Let me begin the 16th Cabinet Meeting. The global pandemic of COVID-19 is becoming more serious by the day. Most countries around the world are reporting incidences of confirmed cases, and the scale and speed of the spread is staggering. It is difficult to estimate how far and until when ...

Mar 31, 2020

(Unofficial Translation) We are nearing victory against the COVID-19 outbreak, but my heart is very heavy because a considerable number of people have lost their lives in the process. The fact that our mortality rate is relatively low compared to those of other countries provides no sense of comfort. I extend my dee...

Mar 30, 2020

(Unofficial Translation) Fellow Koreans, war veterans and bereaved relatives, We are observing West Sea Defense Day at a time when patriotism is more needed than ever. Through patriotism, we prevailed over colonial rule and a war and achieved economic growth and democracy. Through the power of “solidari...

Mar 27, 2020

(Unofficial Translation) I would like to first begin by thanking Mr. Chair for his leadership in convening the Extraordinary Virtual Leaders' Summit today. The effects of COVID-19 have posed a serious threat to global healthcare systems, and have severely contracted the global real economy and financial markets. ...

Mar 26, 2020

(Unofficial Trnslation) I am glad to meet you all. To identify one confirmed case quickly is to save that patient’s life, and it is the beginning of all quarantine measures. Korea’s quarantine efforts have been generating results thanks to swift screening, speedy confirmation, quick quarantine and prompt...

Mar 25, 2020

(Unofficial Translation) Let me begin the 2nd Emergency Economic Council meeting. The global economy is in a crisis, and gauging when it will end is difficult. Our economy is taking an enormous hit because we are so heavily dependent on foreign markets. Our businesses are especially in immense trouble, and they,...

Mar 24, 2020

(Unofficial Trnslation) This warm spring weather brings back memories of the organized trips and sports days that I experienced while in elementary school. The three-legged race was one event that all the children, regardless of their athletic abilities, had a fair chance of winning. The students had to compete i...

Mar 22, 2020

(Unofficial Translation) The Republic of Korea and the United States signed a bilateral currency swap agreement – valued at US$60 billion – for the first time in 11 years. This good news reached us on the day when we held the 1st Emergency Economic Council Meeting and unveiled an unprecedented aid packag...

Mar 20, 2020

(Unofficial Translation) The Government has unquestionably transitioned to emergency mode. The Emergency Economic Council will go into high gear from today. This Council will play the role of a central economic response headquarters like the Central Disease Control Headquarters. The Government renews its firm det...

Mar 19, 2020